CVE-2016-2203 in Messaging Gateway SMG
Summary
by MITRE
The management console on Symantec Messaging Gateway (SMG) Appliance devices before 10.6.1 allows local users to discover an encrypted AD password by leveraging certain read privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2203 affects Symantec Messaging Gateway appliance devices running versions prior to 10.6.1, specifically targeting the management console component. This issue represents a critical security flaw that enables local attackers with read privileges to extract encrypted Active Directory passwords from the system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and improper privilege management within the appliance's administrative interface, creating an avenue for credential exposure that could compromise the entire messaging infrastructure.
Technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the management console's inadequate authorization mechanisms, where local users with read-level permissions can access memory segments or configuration files containing encrypted password hashes. The flaw operates by bypassing normal authentication boundaries that should prevent unauthorized access to sensitive credential information. Attackers can leverage existing read privileges to traverse system boundaries and extract the encrypted AD password, which can then be subjected to offline cracking attacks to recover plaintext credentials. This represents a classic case of privilege escalation through information disclosure, where insufficient access controls allow lateral movement and credential compromise within the network environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate credential theft to encompass broader security implications for enterprise messaging environments. Organizations utilizing affected Symantec Messaging Gateway appliances face potential unauthorized access to email systems, which could lead to email spoofing, data exfiltration, and disruption of business communications. The vulnerability undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing local users to access sensitive authentication data that should remain protected within the system's secure boundaries. Security incidents resulting from this flaw could compromise email integrity, availability, and confidentiality, particularly in environments where email serves as a primary communication channel for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2203 primarily involve upgrading affected Symantec Messaging Gateway appliances to version 10.6.1 or later, which includes patches addressing the access control weaknesses in the management console. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as restricting physical and logical access to management consoles, enforcing strict privilege separation, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Network segmentation and the implementation of multi-factor authentication for administrative access can provide additional layers of protection. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1552 for credentials from password stores, highlighting the broader attack surface implications for enterprise security postures.